Category Archives: Student experiences

I decided to study at the Faculty of Teacher Education because it is a partner institution of my home university, which means I can count some of the courses toward my degree. I also wanted to study in Zagreb/Croatia to get to know the country and the region better.

The professors at the faculty are very friendly and have always helped me with any questions I’ve had. The classes were easy to follow and prepared me well for the exams. To organize your classes so that they don’t overlap, you have to talk to the professors personally to find out when each class takes place and put together your own schedule. 

That was a bit challenging at first, but it worked out well in the end. Our buddies (Croatian students from the faculty) were always available to answer any questions we had about these issues.

I lived in a shared apartment with other international students. I found this apartment through the website roominzagreb.com. I paid about 450 euros a month for it, and grocery costs are a bit lower than in Germany. For students, the menza is a great option (a meal costs less than 1 euro), though there are hardly any vegan options there. I got around mostly on foot or by tram. Both work well—the trams aren’t always exactly on time, but one usually comes along. Tram tickets aren’t expensive: a single ride costs 53 cents, or you can get a monthly pass for 15 euros if you ride often.

Especially at the beginning of the semester, I found the ESN activities very useful and helpful for getting to know new people and the city. Since there are so many international students studying in the university’s various departments but brought together through events like these, you can meet a lot of great people very quickly here. Otherwise, there’s plenty to do in the city—I spent a lot of time in the bars, cafes, and parks. You can also take wonderful trips by train or bus from Zagreb to other Croatian cities or abroad.

Studying at the University of Zagreb through the Erasmus+ exchange programme was a very important experience for me. I am a student at Poltava V. G. Korolenko National Pedagogical University (Ukraine), and I chose the Faculty of Teacher Education (UFZG) for my exchange studies. It is one of the oldest teacher education faculties in Croatia, with an excellent reputation for preparing future teachers using modern teaching methods.

The learning process was interesting, intensive, and highly practical. In almost every class, we completed practical tasks, worked in groups, discussed different topics, and applied our knowledge in practice. I was also pleased to learn that Ukrainian has been taught at the University of Zagreb for many years. One of the main goals of the programme was to improve our English to the C1 level, so a great deal of attention was given to communicating in English.

All the lecturers were friendly, approachable, and always willing to help. They did not simply give lectures but encouraged students to express their own opinions, ask questions, and work independently. This teaching approach made learning more engaging and motivated me to continue developing my knowledge and skills.

During my studies, I lived in the Dr. Ante Starčević Student Dormitory. The accommodation was comfortable, and the monthly fee was only €82, which is very affordable for students. Another great advantage was the student dining system. With a student card, I could buy a full meal in the university cafeterias for less than €1. This made it possible to eat well while saving money.

Life in Zagreb was very active and exciting. Thanks to the Erasmus+ programme, I met students from many different countries. We worked together on assignments, completed group projects, and communicated in English every day. This experience helped me develop teamwork skills, better understand other cultures, and become more confident when communicating with people from different backgrounds.

The ESN also played an important role in student life. It organised city tours, social events, cultural activities, and trips. These activities helped international students make friends, adapt more quickly, and feel at home in a new country.

I would recommend studying at the Faculty of Teacher Education to anyone who wants to become a modern teacher, improve their English language skills, and gain international experience. The programme offers not only valuable academic knowledge but also opportunities to develop teamwork, public speaking, critical thinking, and practical teaching skills.